A new trio will carry the flag for the Philippines in regional sim racing this year. After a weekend of tight battles at Ayala Malls Manila Bay, newcomer Victor Ancheta took the overall win in the TGR Philippines eSports GT Championship 2025. Enzo Ison finished second. Matthew Ang claimed third. The three winners form Team Philippines for the Asia Finals in Thailand on 23 November.

Ancheta’s run was the story of the season. He entered as a fresh face and still managed to rise through the quarterfinals, semifinals, and national finals against a field of 39 other racers. He had already hinted at pace by qualifying third overall out of more than 250 drivers, and he kept posting strong finishes from there. 

“I feel happy that I won the championship, and I feel honored to be one of the drivers representing the Philippines,” he said. “I am looking forward to going up against Asia’s fastest drivers and seeing where I stand up against them.”

Ison, last year’s runner-up and an Asia Finals veteran, stayed in the mix all day. He topped the qualifiers and stayed consistent through the decisive races to lock in second place. 

“It feels great to be on the podium and that I will have the chance to represent the country once again in Thailand next month,” he said. “I’m looking forward for another fun experience and hopefully get a great result for Team Philippines at the Asia Finals!”

Ang completed the podium. He was already on the radar after placing third in 2023 and qualifying second overall this season. He admitted he wanted the top spot but is taking the long view. 

“I felt disappointed since I genuinely felt I could become champion this year,” he said. “But now I feel grateful and empowered to perform well in the Asia Finals.”

Eight drivers who missed the top ten got a second shot at one last seat in the finals in a surprise Wild Card Round. Past champions Luis Moreno and Russel Reyes joined the grid to keep the pressure high. James Lopez earned the wild card slot after finishing behind Reyes and Moreno.

Ang took pole, but Ison won the opener ahead of Ancheta and Miole. Ang hit back on the dirt to win race two, with Miole second and Ison third. A lap-one incident pushed Miole to the back in race three, while tire calls shuffled the order and brought Michael Velasquez and Ancheta into the fight. 

Velasquez pulled a last-lap pass to take that race, with Ancheta second and Corwin Mercado third. When the points were added up, Ancheta took the crown on 72 points. Ison followed with 67.5. Ang finished on 61.5.